Weighing scale



May 29, 1928;

C. H. HAPGOOD WEIGHING SCALE Filed July l9, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 o Zlvvumufoz 6/ rerrae M lfap aod May 29, 1928.

C. H. HAPGOOD WEIGHING SCALE Filed y l9. 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ZZY gwuemtoz 6/4/19/76679. )fgaymd' attozneq May 29, 1928. 1,671,286

C. H. HAPGOOD WEIGHING SCALE Filed July 19, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I gnvcwhw J6 6/0/1070? AZ ya ayo 00.

Patented May 29, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CLARENCE H. HAPGOOD, OF TOLEDO, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO TOLEDO SCALE COMPANY, OF TOLEDO, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

WEIGHING SCALE.

Application filed July 19, 1924. Serial No. 726,971.

This invention relates to weighing scales, and particularly to scales of the even balance type having automatic counterbalancing and indicating means for loads constituting a part only of the capacity of the scale.

One of the principal objects of the invention is the provision of a scale having an indicator which may be turned so as to render it readable from different positions.

Another object is the provision of means whereby the indicator may be turned without materially afiecting the weighing mechanism or requiring the substitution of parts.

Another object is the provision of a scale of this type in which the connection from the commodity supporting levers to the automatic load-counterbalancing mechanism is such as to render the automatic mechanism responsive to very small changes in the load on the scale.

Another object is the provision of means for preventing the platform spiders from shifting on theirvpivots.

Another object is the provision of a scale of this type in which the mechanism is very accessible.

Another object is the provision of a housing from which the sides and ends may be removed for inspection and adjustment of the weighing mechanism.

Still another object is the provision of easily operated means for adjusting the weighing mechanism.

And still another object is the provision of a weighing scale of this type having a comparatively great capacity and a high degree of sensitiveness, the mechanism of which is simple and compactly arranged and the housing is of neat and pleasing appearance.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description, in which reference is had to the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment of my invention and wherein similar reference numerals designate similar parts throughout the several views.

In the drawings:

Figure I is a front elevational view of the scale of my invention, parts being removed and parts shown in section;

Figure II is a sectional plan view taken substantially on the line II-II of Figure I;

Figure III is a vertical sectional view taken substantially through the turning axis of the automatic counterbalancing and indicating mechanism;

Figure IV is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line IV-IV of Figure I;

Figure V is an enlarged fragmentary sectional elevational view taken substantially on the line VV of Figure II;

F igure VI is a top plan view of the scale showing the housing for the automatic mechanism in one position in full lines and in another position in dotted lines;

Figure VII is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line VIIVII of Figure I;

Figure VIII is an enlarged fragmentary detail view showing a connection at the end of one of the levers; and

Figure IX is an enlarged fragmentary detail view of one end of the main lever of the scale showing a part of the scale adjusting means.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the levers and other movable mechanism of the scale are hung below and supported by a rectangular plate 1 provided at its edges with a downwardly turned flange 2. The plate is supported at its ends by a pair oi skeleton frames 3 which are fixedly secured to the plate by means of screws 4.

To the frames 3 are secured side closure plates 5 and end closure plates 6 and a bottom plate 7 which are removably held in place by means of knurled screws and which with the top plate 1 constitute a rectangular box-like housing and enclose the lever mechanism of the scale.

The main lever 8 of the scale is fulcrumcd on pivots 9 which are located midway between its ends and which rest in bearings 10 supported in recesses in a bracket 11 which is fixed to the lower side of the plate 1.

The lever 8 is provided at each of its ends with knife edge pivot-s 13 upon which are rcommodity-receiving pan 17 being similarly secured to and supported upon, the spider 15. The spiders 14 and 15 are substantially identical in construction, each being provided withapocket or loading'bonf 19 adapted to receive shot 20 or other heavy material in such amounts as are necessary to,

balance or seal the scale.

In order to maintain the level of the weight-receiving platter and commodity-receiving pan, I have provided the spiders 1d and 15 with adjustable downwardly extending posts 21 and 22 and the bracket 11 with an adjustable downwardly extending post 23. The posts 21 22 and 23 have reduced end portions to whicha re secured the plates 1 2 1 having diagonally projecting ears provided with oppositely disposed knii'e edges.

Connecting the knife edges of the posts 21 and 23 is a pair of parallel links26, one

of which has a V-shaped' notch at; each end receiving respectively the knife edges of the posts 21 and 23 which extend toward each other, while the other has an eye at each end. embracing respectively the knife edges of-the posts 21 and 23 extending away from each other. A push-an'd-pull connection is thus provided so that movement of the lower ends of the posts toward or away from each other is prevented. A similar pair of links connects the lower end: ofthe post 23 to the post 22. Since this type of check link is clearly shown anddescribed in my Patent No. 1,253,239, dated January 15, 1918, I will not describe it in detail. The lines joining the several knife edges on the posts andthe load and fulcrum pivots of the lever 8 form a parallelogram. The posts 21 and 22 are kept vertical during all weighing movements of the lever and the condition of level; of the platter. 16 and the pan 1: is thereby maintained. The posts 21. 22 and are adjustable vertically and are held in adjusted position by means ot' lock nuts 28. so that. the parallelogrammatic relation of the pivots may be easily secured and reliably maintained.

' The plate 1 is provided adjacent its cen- .ter with a raised portion, the upper surface of which is preferably machined or otherwisev made smooth, and plane, and mounted upon this. raised portion is an upright fanshaped housing 34 which is secured in place by means; of screws: 35. i

Thehousing is provided, with an interior bracket 36 held i i place by, means. of screws 37, and the automatic load-counterbalancing device, which consists of a pendulum 'nose of an auxiliary lever 13. The auxillever 13 is fulcruined by means 01 1e edge pivots upon a bracket 4A which is lined tothe plate 1 in a posit oiisubstam The main lever 8 and the auxiliary lever 13 are provided with bosses bored toreceive. studs -16: which are provided with knife edge members 4C7 similar to the plates 2-22; which are secured to the lower ends of:

tially below the commodity-ii'eceiving pan the 1, 22 and 23. A pair of links 50 sinnlar incmistruction to the links-26 connects the knife edge members 17. thus iornr ing a push-and-pull'connection between the levers 8. and It will be apparent-that a load placed in the pan 17 will cause the right end of the lever S to swing downwardly and through the I medium of the links 50 swing the auxiliary lever downwardly'and cause a pull upon the ribbon all which will swing), the loadcounterbalanciug pendulum 38 to the left and upwardly to a position in which, the load, it

it be within, the capacityof the automatic counterbalance,- will be counterbalanced. Secured to the. pendulum 38 is an indicator hand 52, the end of which swings below and in the plane of a suitably graduated arcuate chart 53 which is mounted in the upper end of the fan-shaped housing 3 1. The indicator and chart thus co-operate to indicate the weight of a load in the pan if the load be withinthe capacity otthe automatic counterbalance.

In groceries and markets where scales of this type are employed counter space is often at a premium and it is sometimes desirable in order to conserve counter space to place the scale crosswise of the counter. In order'that the, indicating chart may face the operatorwhen the scale is placed in this position, the housing 3% is made so. that it an be turned to the dotted line position shown in Figure V1. Yihen it is desired to turn the housing to this position the screws 35 are removed and the housing turned through an angle oi the stirrup 4-2 being turned about the axis off the cone p.'vot so that the ribbon 4-.1 remains in a planeat, right angles to the plane of movement of the load-counterbalancing mechanism. The screws 35 are again inserted in their openings and the housing thus secured inv its new position.

about which the housing is turnable and owing to the length of the ribbon 0on nection and the relation of the parts it is usually possible to turn the housing without necessitating readprstment of the weighing mechanism in the new position of the load counterbalance and indicator.

In order to provide for adjustment of the pii ot distances on the lever 8 the load pivots which supportthe commodity-receiving pan 1? are mounted upon a member the lever proper by which is secured to means of screws 57. Pro ectmg from the main lever S and overlying the member 55 are ears 58 having openings which receive screws 59 threaded into the member 55'. With. this construction all necessary adjustments of the position of the load pivots is possible. By means of the screws 59 it is possible to raise and lower the pivots and they may then be locked in place by means of the screws 57.

I have observed that loads which are not placed on the commodity-receiver directly above or nearly above the load pivots exert forces which act longitudinally of the lever and thus tend to shift the commodity receptacle bearings on the load pivots and in extreme positions of the load the displacement is often so greatas to'bring the spider into contact with the backs of the pivots or otherwise disarrange the mechanism to such an extent as to cause an error in the weight indication. I have in this scale provided means to overcome the liability of error through thiscause which consists of an adjustable downwardly facing pivot mounted on the lever 8 by means of a boss 60 which forms an integral part of the member 55 and which is bored to receive a stud vided at one end with a head 63 having a vertical slot therein adapted to snugly receive a knife edge plate 6 1. The plate 64 is slotted and is held in place by means of a screw fastened through the slot so that it may be adjusted upwardly or downwardly to bring its knife edge into alignment with the knife edges of the load pivots. The up per end of the post 22 extends through a portion of the spider 15 and is bored and internally threaded toreceive a screw 65 having a hardened flat head 66. By raising or lowering the screw 65 the hardened upper surface of the head 66 may be brought substantially into engagement with the knife edge of the plate 64:. The screw is held in this adjusted position by means of a lock nut as shown. I

- It will be apparent that any tendency of the commodity-receiver to move transversely of its pivots will necessarily result in a tendcncy of the spider to rise, which tendency will be prevented by engagement of the knife edge of the plate 64 with the head 66 of the screw 65. The construction of the end of the lever and the spider supporting 62 pro the weight-receiver is substantially like that of the end ofthe lever and spider supporting the commodity-receiving pan except that the member supporting the boss 68 to which the knife edge plate is secured is an ii'itegral part of the main lever 8.

For the purpose of damping the oscillations of the mechanism I have provided a dash pot 70, consisting of a cylinder closed at its lower end and containing a fluid, preferably oil, and a plunger (not shown) which is immersed in the oil and is pivotal ly connected by means of aplunger stem to the lever 8. The dash pot is supported by a bracket 71. which is secured to the lower side of the cover plate 1.

If desired, the lever may be provided with a tare beam 72 and a poise 78 (see Figure II) for the purpose of increasing the capacity of the scale without using loose weights or for counterbalancing containers. By placing loose weights upon the weightreceiving platter 16 the capacity of the scale may be, increased to an extent limited only by the strength "of the mechanism and the size of the weight-receiver and commodityreceiver. When loose weights are used, a partusually the greater part of the loadcounterbalanced by the loose weights, which usually represent integral numbers of pounds or kilos, while the remaining or fractional part of the weight is counterbalanced by the load-counterbalancing pendulum and indicated by the indicator hand 52.

The frames 3 are provided with outwardly extending feet 80 having threaded'openings adapted to receive screws 81 which may be adjusted to bring the scale to proper level.

Theembodiment of my invention herein shown and described is to be regarded as illustrative only, and it is to be understood that the invention is susceptible to variation, modification and change within the spirit and scope of the subjoined claims.

aving described my invention, I claim:

1. In a device of the class described, in combination, a frame, an equal arm lever fulcrumed thereon, a comn'iodity receiver supported on one end of said lever, a weight receiver supported on the other end thereof, an auxiliary lever fulcrumed at one end on said frame and having its opposite end extending to a point adjacent the fulcrum of the first said lever, a connection between the first said lever and an intermediate poiut on said auxiliary lever, automatic load-counterbalancing mechanism, and means connecting said auxiliary lever and said automatic load-connterbalancing mechanism.

2. In a device of the class described, in combination, a frame, an even arm lever fulcrumed thereon. an auxiliary lever fulcrumed on said frame, means connecting said; even arm lever and said auxiliarylever,

automatic load counterbalancing mechanism, turnable-,.mea:ns support ngsaid auto- 111M210 load-counterbalancmg mechanism on 1 said frame,.-a-nd a connection from said auxend thereof,. an auxiliary lever fulcrumed on said frame adjacent the end of the first said lever supporting said commodity recciiver,.an operative connection between the first said; lever and said auxiliary. lever, the nose of: said auxiliary lever being adjacent the fulcrum of the first said lever, automatic lOil-ClrCOlll'ltGlbfiltlllClIlQ,".21nd. indicating, mechanism, means turnably mounted on said frame and supporting said automatic mechanism, and a connection from said. auxiliary. lever to said automatic loadcoimterbalancing about which. said automatic load-counter- .balancing and indicating. mechanism suppert is turnable.

i. In; a device of the; class described, in

combination, a frame, an upright housing mount-ed on said frame, lever mechanism supported on said frame, commodity and weight receivers; supportedw'by said lever mechanism, automatic Weighing and indicating mechanism. supported insaid housing,

and means connecting said automatic weighmg and. ndicating mechanlsin to said lever mechan sm, said upright housing being .turnable to render said indi'catingmechanism readablefrom a plurality of positions. 7 5. Inadevice oft-he class described, 111.- comblnation, a frame, an even arm lever fulorumed thereon, an upright housing turn-- ably mounted on. said frame, automatic loadecount-erbalancmg mechanism mounted in said housing, and connections from said automatic load-counterbalancing mechanism 7 tosaideven arm lever.

6. In a weighing scale, in combination, a lover, aknifev edge pivot onsaid lever by means of which said lever is fulcrumcd on saidframe, load pivots on said lever, commodity and weight receivers supported upon said load. pivots, means for adjusting one of: said load pivotsto bringits edge into,v proper relation to a plane passing through the otherof said. load pivots and said fulcrum pivot, and means for adjusting oneof: saidload pivots-to-vary itsdistance from said fulcrum. pivot. I

71' Ina weighing scale, in combination, a.

m ne} l v r ri med: on a d fr me a and, indicating mochamsm, sa d. connection lying: along the axis pivot in said levers, a receiver supported upon said pivot, means including a sharp" member forretaining said receiver on its supporting: pivot, and means for adjusting said sharp member to bring its apex substant-ially into coincidence with linelying.

along the edge of said knife edge pivot.

SQIn a- Weighing scale, in combination, a frame, an even arm lever fulcrumedthere'- on, commodity and weight receivers pivotally supported upon said even arm. lever, automatic load-counterbalancing mechanism supported by: said frame, an auxiliary lever,

a connection between said auxiliary lever and said automatic load-counterbalancing mechanism, and apuslrand-pul l connection between said even arm lever and'said auxiliary lever.

' 9: In. a weighing" scale, in combination, a

frame, an even arm lever fulcrumed thereon,

weight and commodity receivers supported by said even arm lever, an auxiliary lever, automatic load-counterbalancing mechanism supported by said frame, a connection between'said auxiliary lever and said automatic load counterbalancing mechanism, a push-and pull' connection between said even arm. lever ands said auxiliarylever, and a;

beam and poise carried by said even arm lever.

10. llrr a; weighing-scale, in combination, a frame, a main lever fulcrumed on said frame, weight and. commodity receivers supported by said main lever, an auxiliary lever fulcrumed on said frame, automatic" loadcountenbalancing: and indicating mechanism, flexible connection. between saidauxiliary lever. and said; automatic load-counterbalancing a-nd. indicating-mech2inism, and a puslr-andi-pull connection between said main and auxiliary l'eversi 11. En a weighing scale, in combination, a. frame, a main lever. fulcrumed on said frame, weight and commodity receivers sup portedby said main lever, anauxiliary lever fulcrumed. onsaid "frame, automatic loadcounterbalancing and indicatingmechanism, a. flexibleconneotionfbetween said auxiliary lever and; said automatic load-counterbal-- ancing and indicating mechanism, a push and pull; connection between said main and auxiliary levers, and a beam and poise carriedby said main lever.

12.111 a wcighingscale, in combination, a

frame, a main lever fulcrumed thereon, an; auxiliary lever fulcru'med: on: said. frame, and a connection between said; main. and auxiliary levers comprising knife: edge members carried by, saiddevers, tension and compression members connecting said knife; edgemembers; and: means. fb'r adju'sting' the;- position of: saidl'mife edge members.-

13-. In a weighing scale, ii1 combination,

a plate. skeleton: frames supporting said platg. turnahle upright. housing supported:

on said plate, automatic load-counterbalancing and indicating mechanism supported Within said turnable housing, lever mechanism supported by said plate and lying therebelow, a connection from said automatic load-counterbalancing and indicating mechanism to said lever mechanism, said connection being capable of functioning with said turnable housing in a plurality of positions, Weight and commodity receivers supported by said lever mechanism and lying above said plate, and a plurality of additional plates secured to said skeleton frames and enclosing said lever mechanism.

CLARENCE H. HAPGOOD. 

